Astaxanthin (AST) and fucoxanthin (FUC) are natural xanthophylls, having multidirectional activity, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer. Both compounds also show antimicrobial activity, which is presented in this review article. There are few papers that have presented the antimicrobial activity of AST. Obtained antimicrobial concentrations of AST (200–4000 µg/mL) are much higher than recommended by the European Food Safety Authority for consumption (2 mg daily). Therefore, we suggest that AST is unlikely to be of use in the clinical treatment of infections. Our knowledge about the antimicrobial activity of FUC is better and this compound acts against many bacteria already in low concentrations 10–250 µg/mL. Toxicological studies on animals present the safety of FUC application in doses 200 mg/kg body weight and higher. Taking available research into consideration, a clinical application of FUC as the antimicrobial substance is real and can be successful. However, this aspect requires further investigation. In this review, we also present potential mechanisms of antibacterial activity of carotenoids, to which AST and FUC belong.

In view of the increasing demand of organic agriculture, utilization of waste and environmental protection, sericulture focuses not only on the cocoon production, but also on other ways that can benefit the farm's economy. It is necessary to find new sources of income for small-scale farmers not only through cocoon selling, but also by the multiple uses of by-products. Insect farming technology provides a cheap source of biomass, which may be a good material in biogas production. Studies showed that the examined substrates, both silkworm breeding waste and caterpillar excreta, generate a biogas yield comparable to other substrates of agricultural origin, such as cattle, pig and chicken manures. Fermentation of silkworm excreta under mesophilic conditions produces 167.32 m3/Mg TS of methane and 331.97 m3/Mg TS of biogas, while fermentation of silkworm breeding waste yields 256.59 m3/Mg TS of methane and 489.24 m3/Mg TS of biogas. Moreover, the chemical composition of these raw materials was analyzed.

Long-term fungal infections that are difficult to treat require new substances for their prevention, treatment, or as adjuvants during antibiotic therapy. Propolis is a very promising source of natural substances that show a wide range of pharmacological properties, including antifungal activity against various fungal strains. The purpose of the literature review was to summarize recent studies (PubMed, Scopus) on progress in evaluating the antifungal activity of chemically defined propolis extracts. During the selection of studies, only those with results of antifungal activity expressed as minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and/or minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) were analyzed. Moreover, plant, animal and environmental factors influencing the chemical composition of propolis are discussed. Mechanisms of antifungal activity of propolis extracts and research trends in the aspect of developing new therapies and the assessment of drug interactions are indicated. The review of the research results shows that there is great progress in the definition of propolis extracts. After comparing the MIC/MFC values, it was assessed that propolis extracts offer a wide range of activity not only against pathogenic Candida strains but also against risky molds; however, the strength of this activity is varied.

The systematic affiliation of Cannabis has been controversial for many years. Without a doubt, today we know that they belong to the order Rosales, family Cannabaceae, genus Cannabis, species – C. sativa L., with both industrial hemp (C. sativa L. var. sativa) and narcotic C. sativa L. var. indica. Hemp can be divided into several groups according to their genetic plasticity, allowing them to adapt to changing geographical and climatic conditions, and to almost any substrate and the division can be made using different criteria. The most important are: origin, length of vegetation period, content of cannabinoids (THC and CBD), mono- and dioequivalence. A natural feature is the phenomenon of sexual dimorphism, which is common in the world of other plants. Dioeciousness is natural, and the monoecious forms of hemp grown are unstable. Although the pharmaceutical use of hemp has been known for more than 5 000 years, new bioactive compounds are still being discovered. So the potential of this species is still inexhaustible and unfathomable.

The organic fertilization and ecological farming is getting more popular and required. In this article the studies of organic farming of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) are presented. One of the options of organic fertilizer is the mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) breeding waste. This insect breeding...

The ecological farming and organic fertilization are getting popular and required in time, when synthetic fertilizers and agrochemicals are used and easily overcome. In this article, organic farming of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is presented, and an innovative organic fertilizer the mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) breeding waste is examined. This insect breeding is a cheap source of waste, which gives very positive results on the plants yield. Such tests of hemp have not been carried out so far. In this research, three repetition pots were prepared: with silkworm fertilizer 15 Mg∙ha⁻¹, 30 Mg∙ha⁻¹, and pots without fertilization (control). The amounts of three yields – total, straw, and seed – were measured. Moreover, the chemical composition of silkworm waste, soil, and hemp material was tested. The best results of fertilization were obtained in silkworm manure fertilization in dose 30 Mg∙ha⁻¹.